BLM seeks public comment on Big Ledge Mine Plan Amendment
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ELKO, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Wells Field Office (WFO) is seeking public comment until October 25, 2019 on a Plan of Operations amendment submitted by National Oilwell Varco to take corrective actions on water quality issues at the Big Ledge Mine.
Currently, the Big Ledge Mine area encompasses approximately 124 acres of ground disturbance (private surface/public minerals and private surface/private minerals). The proposed action includes expanding the Plan boundary by 84.6 acres and increasing the disturbance by approximately 18 acres (private surface/public minerals and private surface/private minerals) for the catchment basin and the regrading of the west waste rock facility. These improvements are designed to improve water quality at Big Ledge Mine.
In the spring of 2019, a comment period was initiated for a Plan of Operations Amendment that was submitted to the BLM WFO for proposed changes to their authorized Plan of Operations. This new Plan of Operations Amendment requires a new public comment period in accordance with 43 CFR 3809.411(c).
The Big Ledge Mine has been in operation since 2007 and is located in the northern Snake Mountain Range in Township 42 North, Range 61 East approximately 60 miles north of Wells, Nevada in Elko County. Mining activities have ceased at the site and the operator is working towards closure.
More information can be found on the project website: https://go.usa.gov/xmjn4
Comments and input should be submitted to the BLM as described below by October 25, 2019. Written comments on the Big Ledge Mine Plan of Operations amendment should be mailed to the BLM Wells Office, Attn: Aili Gordon, 3900 East Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801, emailed to WellsFO_NEPA@blm.gov; or faxed to (775) 753-0347. This project is site specific, rather than programmatic in scope, with no anticipated significant environmental impacts and will be analyzed in an environmental assessment as required by the National Environmental Policy Act and BLM policy.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.